Development Associate

Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) is at the beginning of a long path toward building a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive (EDI) institution. We are looking for individuals, at all levels of the institution, who are interested in joining us on this journey of intentionality and public accountability. This path broadens our workforce (board, staff, volunteers), expands our artist selection and acquisition practice as well as strengthens our internal and external communication systems, networks and norms.

Grounds For Sculpture is seeking a highly organized and motivated Development Associate to join our team full-time. Reporting to the Development Manager and supporting the Chief Development Officer, this role is essential to the daily operations of the Development Department, providing administrative, logistical, and strategic support.

You are a highly organized self-starter who is passionate about the arts, horticulture and GFS’s mission and strategic vision.  You have a deep commitment to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion, as this is a key value for GFS and one of our priorities.  You are a natural collaborator who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment and are eager to learn as part of a small but experienced team, supporting and advancing GFS’s efforts to raise funds from individuals, foundations, and corporations.  As the ideal candidate, you have administrative experience – especially working with a development database – and understand the important and essential nature of this work, coupled with the drive to take on additional responsibilities as you grow with the department. You are confident working in a professional yet relatable manner with a variety of stakeholders, from Board members to major donors, to members and volunteers and the general public.  

Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for effectively supporting a growing annual giving program and managing the accompanying database of donors, including but not limited to – gift entry, executing direct mail and e-appeals, gift renewal process, segmenting of donors, reporting and analysis, list management, and donor management (ex: entry of relationships, plans, interactions and notes). 
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all individual donor interactions and giving history in the donor database (Altru), generate regular reports on individual giving metrics, track and analyze donor trends to identify opportunities for growth in individual giving, conduct research to identify and qualify new individual donor prospects, and manage donor communication.
• Prepare timely gift acknowledgements and thank you letters.
• Manage and track various types of donations including recurring donations, in kind gifts, honor/memorial gifts and matching gifts.
• Identify areas for data clean up and streamlining in donor database management system.
• Work with the Finance team to ensure appropriate tracking and accounting of gifts.
• Coordinate and assist with special fundraising events, VIP Opening receptions, and other donor/sponsorship cultivation events.
• Conduct research on prospects, including individuals identified by Development office and GFS Board members as potential sources of private funds.
• Coordinate with Marketing Department on ensuring Development activities are promoted and timelines managed appropriately. 
• Prepare content for fundraising related materials, and coordinate GFS’ Annual Year-End donor listing report for publishing on website, annual report and Newscasting newsletter.
• Provide support for the Development Manager and CDO in preparing agenda and taking minutes at meetings as needed.
• Assist with Membership related tasks/activities as it relates to full Development department.  For example, staffing of the Member Lounge, provide support at Member events, etc.
• Assist with Volunteer-related tasks as needed, in coordination with Manager of Volunteer Services
• Opportunity to manage a portfolio of low to mid-level annual fund donors.
• Perform general office duties, attend meetings; assist with appointments and calendars.
• Answer general development-related inquiries, including donor requests, nonprofit to nonprofit donations, guest passes, etc.
• Occasional weekend and evening work scheduled events and meetings will be required.
• All other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Experience: Minimum 2 years in nonprofit fundraising or related field.
• Organization & Communication: Highly organized, detail-oriented, and skilled in multitasking. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication.
• Technical Skills: Strong donor database management; Altru experience preferred. Proficiency in Excel.
• Relationship Management: Ability to engage donors, volunteers, Board members, and colleagues professionally.
• Project Coordination: Capable of managing multiple projects, meeting deadlines, and collaborating with teams and committees.
• Professionalism: Poised under pressure, diplomatic, and discreet with sensitive information.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical, creative, and strategic thinking skills.
• Event Management: Experience planning and executing special events.
• Flexibility: Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends.

GFS is stronger for the diverse ideas, lived experiences, passions and skill sets of our staff. To that end, we offer equal employment opportunities to all persons without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, parental status, housing status, source of income or military status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local EEO laws.